Melva Yanes serves as Finance Manager of Excelencia in Education. Melva’s daily responsibilities are invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and responding to affiliate inquiries. < Back to Our People Page Melva Yanes Finance Manager Excelencia in Education Email: myanes@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As the Finance Manager, Melva’s daily responsibilities are invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and responding to affiliate inquiries. Her role is essential in supporting Excelencia’s efforts in fiscal modernization and management. Past Experiences: Melva joined Excelencia with previous accounting experience in the nonprofit sector. Melva has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Excelencia’s mission resonates deeply with me as a first-generation Latina college graduate. Excelencia offers the opportunity to both leverage my current skills and grow professionally with the organization, especially learning first-hand how to scale and modernize financial best practices in the nonprofit sector. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Everyone in the organization is mission-driven and demonstrates a passion for Excelencia’s work. It is amazing to work alongside team members who share their knowledge and bring their best every day.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in Massachusetts, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Massachusetts Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 30% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 60% Of White adults Fast Facts Massachusetts had the 16th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 20% K-12 Population 13% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 27% White Students Median Age 30 Latinos 45 White Median Income $38,127 Without a college degree $77,006 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 University of Massachusetts-Boston Public, 4-year or above 11,848 2,327 20% 2,389 377 16% 2 Bunker Hill Community College Public, 2-year 7,322 2,195 30% 945 223 24% 3 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Public, 4-year or above 23,694 2,067 9% 6,866 524 8% 4 Boston University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 17,850 2,018 11% 4,557 505 11% 5 University of Massachusetts-Lowell Public, 4-year or above 11,632 1,838 16% 2,943 342 12% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE Examples of What Works for Latino, And All, Students Looking to know what works or connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Our team can work with you to identify and connect with relevant programs making an impact on student success that can help you in your efforts to intentionally serve your Latino, and all, students. Click here to contact us . Sources U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Summary and list of the 276 institutions identified as HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) in 2024-25. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2024-25 Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Of the 631 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in 2024-25, 276 offer graduate degrees (184 offer doctoral degrees as the highest degree, 70 offer master’s degrees, and 22 offer a post-master’s certificate). Excelencia in Education has been tracking HSIs that offer graduate degrees since the organization’s founding in 2004 to identify institutions potentially eligible for federal funding through the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) grant program. The list of institutions identified as HSIs with graduate programs in this analysis is not intended to designate eligibility for any specific program; rather, the list is meant to assist in considering and analyzing the institutions that meet the legislative definition of an HSI and offer graduate programs. See additional data related to 2024-25 HSIs: Fact Sheet List Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2024-25 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more in Excelencia’s new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia is the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, building momentum to improve Latino, and all, students’ achievement through innovation across three key areas: Leadership, Data, and Practice. Our Approach What We Do Excelencia in Education is a trusted source of information on contemporary issues in higher education and a national leader catalyzing colleges and universities to become more student-centered in their strategies and practices. We focus on four key elements of transforming higher education to produce measurable outcomes for our students, institutions, and the nation’s workforce: Leadership: Excelencia leads a national network of higher education leaders, practitioners, and supporters committed to ensuring students earn a quality education. Over 141 institutions affiliated with Excelencia in Action (E-Action) disproportionately enroll and graduate Latino, and all, students, growing talent for our workforce. Among them, 45 have earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in student outcomes. Data: Excelencia establishes a foundation of knowledge on issues influencing student success to catalyze institutions, advance effective policies, and compel action. This includes annual analysis of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and seminal research on college affordability and workforce pathways . Practice: Excelencia identifies and promotes evidence-based programs at the forefront of improving higher educational achievement. Premier in this work is Examples of Excelencia , the only national effort to recognize programs with evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino, and all, students’ success. Our community of practice grows what works to facilitate access to excellence in higher education. Capacity Building: Excelencia partners with institutions to strengthen and reinforce their capacity to more intentionally serve Latino students, leading to excellence for all students. Our capacity building programming meets institutions where they are in their transformation and helps them communicate impact and position themselves for funding opportunities. SEE OUR IMPACT How We Do It Accelerating Latino student success is Excelencia’s mission, and confianza is how we do it. Excelencia was born from our commitment to change the narrative about Latino college students from a focus on deficit-oriented diagnoses and intractable achievement gaps to a focus on asset-based opportunities to accelerate Latino student success. We believe that what describes us does not divide us — unless we let it happen. We frame serving Latinos as an opportunity — not to exclude others, but to transform institutions in a way that can benefit all. Confianza embodies elements of trust, responsibility, and mutual respect. Through an ongoing process of communication, collaboration, and innovation, we act as a trusted partner, facilitator, and guide for colleges and universities considering how they strengthen their efforts to more intentionally SERVE Latino students. LEARN MORE Our Tactical Plan for Latino Student Success Latinos represent one of the fastest growing populations nationally and within higher education. Excelencia has developed a tactical plan to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students with the understanding that doing so ultimately serves our country: Design a national acceleration plan for Latino students in higher education Advocate publicly societal benefits for raising Latinos’ degree completion [Policy Agenda ] Track degree completion goals and measures of progress [Latino College Completion: U.S. ] Replicate and expand institutional practices that are working for Latino students [Examples of Excelencia ] Build a community of common cause [Excelencia in Action network ] Align and deliver educational support efforts to institutions [Technical Assistance Institutes ] Increase support and accountability for institutions intentionally serving Latino students [Seal of Excelencia ] Evolve efforts to support institutional transformation as a trusted intermediary

** is President of California State University-San Bernardino and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-San Bernardino ** President Institution website: https://www.csusb.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csusb.edu/presidents-office ** is President of California State University-San Bernardino and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a regional comprehensive university located in one of California’s fastest growing and diverse areas. CSUSB’s diverse student body is 71% Latino, 79% first-generation, and 56% Pell recipients. With 90% of the undergraduates residing in the local counties of San Bernardino and Riverside, CSUSB is dedicated to defining the future for its Latino students and communities.

Meridith Randall is President of Golden West College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Golden West College Meridith Randall President Institution website: https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/news/2024/01/trustees-selects-new-gwc-president.html Meridith Randall is President of Golden West College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page New Analysis Shows Latino Talent Is Key to U.S. Global Competitiveness as AI Changes Workforce Needs Mar 17, 2026 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Identifies Top Institutions and Strategies Cultivating Latino Talent to Meet Demands of High-Growth STEAM Fields WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2026) – A new analysis from Excelencia in Education makes clear that integrating the arts into STEM is essential to heightening U.S. global competitiveness as AI reshapes industries. Latino talent will be key to building an interdisciplinary workforce equipped to guide new technologies. The brief, Finding Your Workforce: Linking College Completion with U.S. Workforce Needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) , examines national trends in Latinos’ STEAM degree completion, identifies top colleges and universities where Latinos earn STEAM credentials, and provides strategies for institutions and employers to prepare and recruit Latino talent for fast-growing STEAM fields. Excelencia’s analysis shows that Latinos earned nearly one-third of all STEAM degrees in 2023. However, they are underrepresented in STEM and STEAM occupations. For example, Latinos make up only 15% of the STEM workforce, despite accounting for 18% of all U.S. workers and being projected to drive the majority of workforce growth in the next decade. With STEAM occupations growing twice as fast as others, meeting the nation’s demand for a workforce that combines technical expertise, creativity, collaboration, and problem solving will take intentional investment to expand the Latino community’s access to interdisciplinary, career-connected education. The brief identifies the top 25 institutions where Latinos earn STEAM credentials — prime locations for recruiting Latino talent. Among the top 25, seven have earned the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for continuous improvement and positive impact on student success, and three are certified by Excelencia as Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITIs) for delivering strong post-completion outcomes. “The talent our country needs to strengthen and drive growth in our workforce, and especially in the evolving AI-enabled economy, is already here,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and CEO. “The institutions and employers that commit to intentionally building partnerships and pathways that connect Latino, and all, graduates to STEAM careers will shape our future.” Excelencia identifies and scales what works with intentionality for Latino, and all, students to ensure higher education remains a powerful engine of social mobility, workforce development, and economic vitality. To that end, the brief highlights evidence-based practices from five ITIs and a Seal of Excelencia certified institution that are enhancing individual outcomes and the broader STEAM workforce pipeline — Arizona State University, Austin Community College, Florida International University, Miami Dade College, The University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Arizona. These practices inform actionable strategies for institutions and employers to prepare and recruit Latino STEAM talent, creating sustainable ecosystems that expand opportunity and fuel innovation for the nation’s economic and civic future. Strategies for institutions include: Include the arts in STEM curricula; Assess and increase Latino participation in STEM and STEAM programs; Expand post-completion STEAM support for graduates; Evaluate and deepen industry partnerships; Track how Latino alumni apply their education in the workforce and use those insights to refine programs and strengthen career readiness; and Collaborate with other stakeholders to strengthen the STEAM talent pipeline. Strategies for employers include: Recruit from the top institutions graduating Latinos in STEAM. Invest in interdisciplinary Latino talent ecosystems; Align workforce and academic goals with institutional partners; Collaborate on data and insight sharing; Engage faculty as innovation partners; and Connect Latino professionals as mentors to support current students’ transitions into STEAM careers. Finding Your Workforce: Linking College Completion with U.S. Workforce Needs in STEAM was developed in partnership with the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Read the full brief: EdExcelencia.org/research/publications/finding-your-workforce-linking-college-completion-us-workforce-needs-steam About Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

Cynthia Teniente-Matson is President of San Jose State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page San Jose State University Cynthia Teniente-Matson President Institution website: https://www.sjsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/president/meet-the-president/biography/ Cynthia Teniente-Matson is President of San Jose State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2025-2028 San José State University (SJSU), the West Coast's oldest public higher education institution, is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution serving almost 23,000 students of which 31% identify as Latino.

Jesse Peters is President of Western Oregon University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Western Oregon University Jesse Peters President Institution website: https://wou.edu/ Bio Page: https://wou.edu/president/?_q=President%27s%20Office Jesse Peters is President of Western Oregon University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. < Back to Our People Page Deborah A. Santiago Chief Executive Officer Excelencia in Education Email: dsantiago@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD BIO Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. As an innovator, thought leader, and educational visionary, she has led research and advanced evidence-based practices and strategies for more than 20 years. She has held leadership positions with education organizations around the country, including the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans and the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. She co-founded Excelencia in Education in 2004 to inform policy, compel action, and collaborate with those ready to accelerate student success with an unapologetic Latino lens. Among her many contributions, Deborah has addressed federal legislative issues in higher education at the Congressional Research Service and informed program and policy implementation at the U.S. Department of Education. She also improved awareness and education opportunities for Latinos with federal agencies as the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Among Deborah’s community efforts, she has provided program design and implementation for dropout prevention and parental engagement for the ASPIRA Association and translated data for community engagement at the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. As CEO, Deborah leads Excelencia’s programming and engagement efforts, including expanding and leveraging community-informed research in improving educational opportunities for students, working directly with education leaders, and informing campus practices as well as state and federal policies. Driven by a deep desire to advance asset based, student-centered understanding of the needs and opportunities for the Latino community, Deborah is a sought-after speaker about Hispanic Serving Institutions, college affordability, and equity in higher education. Her work has been cited in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. She serves on the Advisory Board of TheDream.US . and the technical panel for the Carnegie Classification led by the American Council on Education.

Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. NEWS Latest News Excelencia in Education analysis, efforts, and experts are featured in hundreds of media outlets every year, from NBC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. Media Inquiries To cover Excelencia analysis and efforts, or to get in touch with one of our experts for an interview, please contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org August 31, 2026 Colleges and Universities That Have Earned the Seal of Excelencia Lead Among the Nation’s Top Institutions in Economic Mobility for Hispanic Students Read More August 5, 2026 Excelencia in Education Recognizes Programs Delivering Positive Outcomes for Latino, and All, Students in Higher Education Read More July 21, 2026 Excelencia in Education Releases National Analysis Demonstrating that America’s Future Benefits from Latino College Completion Read More April 8, 2026 New Analysis Shows Critical Role Hispanic-Serving Institutions Play in Educating Latino, and All, Students Read More March 17, 2026 New Analysis Shows Latino Talent Is Key to U.S. Global Competitiveness as AI Changes Workforce Needs Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 Communications Resources Referring to Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education’s name is intentionally bilingual, reflecting our commitment to Latino students amongst all, quality education, and the asset base available to the U.S. by supporting Latinos’ excellence in education. Please italicize “Excelencia ” in all references to the organization and relevant efforts (e.g., “Seal of Excelencia ”). Our Logo We trademarked Excelencia’s logo in 2024. Please access high-resolution versions of Excelencia’s logo by contacting: Media@EdExcelencia.org Our Boilerplate Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org Our Social Media Excelencia is active on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/company/excelencia-in-education Facebook: Facebook.com/EdExcelencia Instagram: @excelencia_in_education Medium: ExcelenciainEducation.medium.com YouTube: ExcelenciaEducation X: @EdExcelencia Hashtags to follow: #LatinoStudentSuccess #StudentSuccess #ExcelenciaInAction #ExcelenciaInEducation #Excelencia #ExcelenciaSeal #GrowingExamples #HigherEd

Jane Oates is the Senior Policy Advisor, WorkingNation, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Jane Oates Senior Policy Advisor WorkingNation Jane Oates is the Senior Policy Advisor at WorkingNation, a non-profit media entity dedicated to telling the stories of solutions at the intersection of learning and earning. She previously served as President and WorkingNation following a decades-long career as a thought leader in education and workforce. She began her career teaching in the Boston and Philadelphia public school districts, spent a decade working with Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Health, Education, and Pensions Committee (HELP), served as the SHEEO of New Jersey under Governor Jon Corzine, and was nominated by President Obama and confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training under Secretary Hilda Solis in 2009. She currently serves on the boards of the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Competency-Based Education Network, Frontline Justice, the Heldrich Center at Rutgers University, NCCEP, NOCTI, the Corps Network, and Excelencia in Education.